The AUHSD Governing Board Election and How Campaigns Shape Trustee Area 1

Written by NOA DE LA FUENTE

A single vote in the AUHSD Governing Board election could shape everything from school funding to community representation, but for residents in Trustee Area 1, this election is about securing a seat at the decision-making table. As election day approaches on November 3rd, opponents Stacey Schweppe and Nithin Iyengar prepare for the ballot. Each candidate’s campaign highlights issues such as Measure W, several district policies, and annual budgeting restrictions.

In the past, AUHSD has depended upon an at-large voting system to elect candidates for its Governing Board. However, during a Special Meeting of the Governing Board on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the Board considered and adopted a “By-Trustee Area” elections system, starting with the 2026 Governing Board Election. The transition addressed school district member complaints about violations of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The CVRA prohibits at-large voting systems for school district governing board member elections if it “impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election…”. Stated by Malibu attorney Kevin Shenkman of Shenkman and Hughes on behalf of members residing in AUHSD, the violation of the CVRA to the district’s election system was applicable due to racially polarized voting and minority vote dilution. However, under the CVRA, the only acceptable election system that provided a “safe harbor” from the potential CVRA claim was a “By-Trustee Area” election system. Therefore, the new election system was adopted to resolve the voting discrepancies. The school district began to utilize the services of professional demographers to draft trustee voting areas, where they worked with the district’s legal counsel to ensure compliance with the CVRA and other district requirements. To ensure a positive community response, the public was supplied with drafts of possible trustee area maps, board presentations made by the District’s legal counsel and demographer, as well as a general summary of public feedback. They were encouraged to provide feedback and participate in the public hearings as the Governing Board continued with the election system transition.

However, the Governing Board race not only depends on the election system, but also on the candidates running for a seat. Trustee Area 1 is the sole trustee area that contains two contenders, and opponents Stacey Schweppe and Nithin Iyengar have both shown they can stand their ground.

Lastly appointed as an AUHSD Governing Board member and running for re-election, Schweppe has modeled her campaign around experienced leadership, student advocacy, and fiscal accountability. Using her previous expertise as an actively involved parent for 20 years, as well as her presidential leadership in the PTA and Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs, she has shown the value she holds and highlights it in her precedential appointment as an AUHSD Governing Board member. Her involvement as a parent and deep roots within AUHSD make her a relatable and trustworthy candidate who prioritizes students not only on their academic endeavors, but as well as on personal welfare. Her main objectives stress the maintenance of student support by providing mental health and well-being resources. Back in 2009, apart from crisis counselors and nurses, schools did not have much well-being support. Her role on the district’s now-absent Healthy Choices Committee led to the establishment of one of the first wellness fairs, which provided longer lunches, wellness vendors, talks from groups like NAMI and United Way 211 spreading awareness about suicide prevention, as well as representatives from the Contra Costa Water District advocating for canal safety, along with a myriad of other well-being resources and cornerstones of advocacy. These wellness fairs, which were spearheaded by the Healthy Choices Committee, later developed into the initiation of wellness centers. As she looks towards her re-election campaign, Schweppe said, “I think we always need to be on the lookout for what the district can do to continue and make sure that we’re really reaching every student,”. Her campaign also shines a spotlight on the district’s fiscal accountability. The budgetary challenges AUHSD has faced in recent years would be embraced with a balanced and conservative approach, not compromising the district’s educational experiences provided for students. Measure W, which seeks voters’ approval to levy a $168 parcel tax per property for eight years to address the district’s instructional needs, is also publicly supported by Schweppe. Schweppe explains that the structural issue within AUHSD’s budget creates deficit spending, leading to the spending of financial reserves in order to meet day-to-day expenses. Her support of Measure W is based on the possibility of a “safety net that allows us to not spend our reserves, and allows us to continue to grow,”.  The endless possibilities of growth could be seen by the reincorporation of librarians, course inauguration, etc. Overall, Schweppe’s notable roles and valuable qualities have given her the proficiency to be a beneficial candidate within the Governing Board race.

Opponent Nithin Iyengar also makes a strong case for candidacy. His campaign is particularly modeled around educational excellence, fiscal stewardship, and community engagement.